Apparatus for packing containers



Aug. 25, 1953 c, E KERR 2,650,009

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS Filed March 14, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR cHA RLES E. KERR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERR APPARATUSFOR PACKING CONTAINERS 0 Filed March 14 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 m'veu'ronCHARLES E. KERR m/ fihw ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERR APPARATUS FORPACKING CONTAINERS Filed March 14 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 m m 0w INVENTORCHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c; E. KERR 2,650,009

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS Filed March 14, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c, KERR 7 2,650,009

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 14, 1949INVENTOR GHARL'ES E. KERR BY ,fnaa

ATTGRNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERR APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS FiledMarch 14, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet '7 CHARLES E. KER/i ATTORNEY Aug. 25,1953 C. E. KERR APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS l4 Sheets-Sheet 8 FiledMarch 14, 1949 INVENTOR 011491.555. KERR P N m Hum l m0; mmN

W W W ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERR APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERSl4 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 14, 1949 CNN I L N.

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mvzn'ron CHARLES E. KER/i BYAAP W ATTORNEY C. E. KERR APPARATUS FORPACKING CONTAINERS Aug. 25, 1953 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed March 14, 1949I INVENT'OR 0H4 31.5.; E. KERR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERRAPPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed March 14, 1949INVENTOR OIIA RLES E. KERR m wfi ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERRAPPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS 14 Sheets- Sheet 12 Filed March 14,1949 ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. E. KERR APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERSl4 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed March 14, 1949 M II. mH-m-W QQN. MQN I N @N 0NN MQN CHARLES E. KERR R I O n- N m-H-Hi| m w 0mm m vow Mom mq L O :1 Y xon. :1 a now r, mm 0 mm. mm 03 a Qm N mm. W9 mf mm. .w J 2 EN 7 NM. 1 wy N9 J Q41 03 a m .11 0@% 4N?- vfl mm. Na. m5 oow 3N :N KN N. .0m 0m.PON 00M 32 ATTORNEY C. E. KERR APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS Aug. 25,1953 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed March 14, 1949 n w .q y

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3! row wow P05 M y 0 X \EN ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Machinery and Chemical Corporation,

San

Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application March 14, 1949,Serial N 0. 81,254

38 Claims. (01. 226-14) The present invention relates to mechanisms forpacking containers for shipment. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to mechanisms for packing containers arriving in asingle file supply line in superposed tiers into cases, cartons, cratesor the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide simple, yeteffective, mechanisms for dividing a single-file container line into aplurality of separate lines.

Another object is to provide mechanisms for dividing a rapidly movingcontainer line into a plurality of separate lines without subjecting thecontainers to harmful shocks, such as may dent their walls or spreadtheir sealing seams.

Another object is to provide rapidly operating line-dividing mechanismof the type referred to, that acts so smoothly as to be safelyapplicable to containers of a fragile nature, such as glass jars, paperbottles, and the like.

Conversely, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simpleand efficient mechanism for rapidly merging a plurality of separatecontainer lanes into a single-file line in such a smooth manner thatthere is no danger of damaging the containers, whether they be made frommetal, glass, or paper.

Another object is to provide a line-dividing mechanism, of the typereferred to, that is adapted to properly divide a container line nomatter how irregularly the moving containers may be spaced from oneanother.

A further object is to provide apparatus adapted to remove apredetermined number of containers from a container-supply line andplace them in superposed tiers into a case, crate, or the like.

. Another object is to provide apparatus, of the type referred to, thatis adapted to remove container tiers of predetermined size from amultifile supply line and place a predetermined number of such tiers insuperposed condition into a shipping case or the like.

Still another object is to provide a container casing machine, of thetype referred to, that is not limited to containers of cylindrical shapebut may also be employed to handle containers of ,glass, paper, or otherfragile materials.

Anotherobject is to provide an automatic container-casing machine, atthe end of a multi-file container supply line, which is adapted totransfer tiers of containers from the end of said line onto a loadingchute but is arranged to remain inoperative until the proper number ofcontainers for each tier has assembled at the end of said line,

It is a further object to provide means in a container-casing machine,of the type described, that is automatically effective to restraincontainers in excess of a predetermined number from participating in thetransfer operation of said machine.

Another object is to provide a container-casing machine having acontainer receiving table, a loading chute and means for transferringcontainer tiers of a predetermined size from said receiving station ontosaid loading chute, which comprises means effective to eject thecontainer tiers deposited in said loading chute from said chute into ashipping case, or crate, after a predetermined number of said tiers hasbeen deposited into said loading chute.

Still another object is to so arrange a machine, of the type referredto, that While said containerejecting means is effective to pushcontainers previously deposited into said chute forwardly out of saidchute, said container transfer ring means operates to deposit anadditional tier of containers into said chute rearwardly of saidejecting means.

Another object is to provide a machine, of the type referred to, whichis adapted to be set into operation by attending personnel Whenever theproper number of containers has assembled in its receiving station andwhich, once set into motion, is automatically efiective to continue itsoperation until a case or crate is loaded with a predetermined number ofcontainer tiers.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description and accompanying drawingsin which:

Figs. 1A and 1B are the left and right halves of a plan view of thecomplete line-dividing and case-loading machine.

Figs. 2A and 2B are the left and right halves of a side elevation of thecomplete machine, viewed from the right side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the linedividing mechanism of myinvention shown on a somewhat larger scale than Fig. 1A.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of part of the line-dividingmechanism taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a component of the line-dividingmechanism of my invention.

Figs. 6, "I, 8, 9 and 10 are schematic plan views of part of theline-dividing mechanism of my invention illustrating a progressivesequence of operational positions thereof.

Fig. 11 is another schematic plan view of the line-dividing mechanism ofmy invention illustrating the manner in which a single-file line ferredfrom thesupplylineonto the receiving tableof the case-loading machine.

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary plan view of the same station of the machine.

Fig. 18 is a circuit diagram illustrating the manner in whichtheoperation of the case-loading machine is electrically controlled.

' Fig. 19 is' apeispective view illustrating suitableactuating"'mechanism for some of the switches employed in the controlcircuit shown in Fig) 18.

Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 are fragmentary side elevational views of thecase-loading machine of the invention illustrating a progressivesequence of operational positions.

"Fig. 24 is a verticalsection through the cams which control thecontainer transfer operation, taken along line 2424 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 25 is a detail view illustrating in elevation a component'part ofthe container ejecting mechanism "associated with the case-loading chuteof the machine'of the invention.

'Fig. 26 is a diag'rammaticalplfan view of a modified container 'supplylinefor the case-loading machine of the invention.

Fig. 27 is a"fragmentary'side-elevational view illustrating a modifiedembodiment of. the container transfer fingers employed in thecase-loading machineof my'invention.

Referring to Figs.1A and 1B and 2A and 2B,

the machine of: the present invention is composed of a line-dividingmechanism A adapted to convert a single-file supply line of containersinto a multiefile supply line, and a caseloading mechanism B.v adaptedto transferrtiers of containers from the endof the multi-file supplylineinto a shipping case, crate, or the like.

Ths ngrdiil d ns. me han m mp w sequentially arranged endless conveyorbelts 39 and 3| of sufficient widthto support-a double row of.containers, with the forward part of the first and all of thesecond ofsaid belts being flanked *by' apainef narrow conveyor belts 32 and 33,respectively, which are each of 'suflicient width to support a singlerow of containers. 'Said 'conveyorbelts -33 may each be composed of anendless sequence of hingedly connected plates or 'slatst l, as indicatedin Fig. 4, and they are trained around suitable pulleys or rollers (only"some of which are shown in the drawings) m'ou'nted' upon transverseshafts 35. Said shafts are journaled in the frame structure 36 of thesupply line which is formed by a plurality of parallel girders that restupon tubular posts, as shown in Figs. 1A and 2A.

Held above the conveyor belts 30-33 are a plurality of parallelpartitioning screens or plates 40, Hand 42, fwhich'are arranged to forma plurality of container guiding channels or corridors, as shown inFigs. 1A and 3. To maintain said partitioning screens in their properpositions, pillars -43 are mounted in pairs upon the frame structure 36at either side of the conveyor'belts 30433 and support cross rods -44upon which are slidably arranged 'a number of blocks 15;" Thepartitioning plates are fitted withtheir upper edges into suitablegrooves or slots provided in said blocks, and by adjusting the positionof said blocks upon said cross bars, transversely of the direction ofmovement of theconveyorbeltdthe width of the container guiding corridorsrnay be'var'ied toadapt them tocontainers of different diametricalwidth. Setting screws '45 are provided to lock said blocks in theiradjusted positions, as'shown in Fig. 4.

At the feed end o-f 'the a'bove'described conveyor assembly '(Fig.'3)'afirst cross rod 440. holds two symmetrically shaped partitioning plates46a and 40b at'suchaa distance from one another as to form a channel 40.for a single row of containers. Secondand third cross bars 442) and 440hold. another pair of symmetrically shaped plates Mcland 4'lbin such aposition relative to one another. as to. form an adjoining channel orcorridor. 5!. the initial portion of which expands from; about the. sizeof channel 5il'to a size suflicient to accommodate a double rowfofcontainers.

In accordance. with the. present invention, a single-file lineofJcont-ainers issplitinto a pair of separate files in two. consecutive.steps: As a first step,alternate ones of. the containers of theingle-file linev are. pushed in. opposite directions,

laterally of theiriline of; advance, toform a staggered'v partially.separated double row, wherein nsecutiv onta nersare alternate pii onesomewhat to the right or totheleft of; theorisinal 1 center; line;thereafter said staggered, double row encounters means which completesthe separa ion into two di tinc y sepa at w ii h a. two-st p. parationoi .a l ne. p r t s muc smoother and can, be carried out must faster andwith far less danger of injury to the containers than the conventionalmethods of separation. 7 v

Re ertin to s A. and. he rst. iY unit collectively identified by thereference numeral Elli;v is located intermediately of the corrii t d 51andii nsis siir iis ria lv, i a t ormed. by a. a l i; hiir zcntal v.pace midis 56 and .6.. disposedet, ithe d of the o veyor belt 311..saidirotqrs are orider ti struction and in the iollowing descriptionthe same, reference. numQla-ls will; therefore, belused for the,individual cs ipq ri nts oitqth. e c p that. primes may; be emp yed;toispecifically identify the. components ofttheright oneof said rotors(viewed in the directionof the container advance) wheneverit .isnecessary to distinguish between said rightandileftrotors.

Each'of said frotorsfifi and. 56 (Fig. 5) is composed of a pair ofd'iametrically. opposed cylinder sectors5'l a'nd '58 ofilimitedTaxi'alheightwhich may be formed' 'iromstrip s ofb ronze, with the inner endsof theifra'd'ial shanks affixed to a central hub 59. Thus, each of saidrotors possesses a pair'of diametrically opposite convex surfaces 60 andBI which are separated by diametrically opposed nooks or corners 62 and63 formed by the radial walls of the cylinder sectors 51 and 58. Therotors 56 and 56 are rotatably mounted at opposite sides of the channelformed by the corridors fio jand and are mechanically coupled forrotation in a pro-established relation. For this purpose, the hubs ofsaid rotors are keyed to the lower end of vertical shafts 64 and 64,respectively, which are journaled in bearings 65 and 65 (Figs. 2A and4). Said bearings are supported from a bridge structure 66 that spans thconveyor belt 30 and rests upon a pair of pillars 68 which rise from themachine frame 36 at either side of said conveyor belt. Pinned to theupper ends of said shafts 64 and 64 (Fig. 3) are miter gears and 10',respectively, which mesh with miter gears H and H that are firmlymounted upon the opposite ends of a horizontal shaft 12 which isrotatably supported from said bridge structur 66. Thus, whenever one ofsaid rotors is rotated, the other one is forced to turn at equal speedin an opposite direction. In accordance with the present invention, theangular position of said rotors is originally adjusted in such a mannerthat in operation the sections of one will precede the correspondingsections of the other by an angle of 90 degrees; thus,

when a nook of one of said rotors moves into a position opposite to theother rotor, said other rotor presents one or its deflecting surfaces tosaid nook and vice versa.

Whenever a. file of containers is conducted into and through the gateformed by the described rotors, said gate is automatically effective toshift consecutive containers of said file alternately in oppositelateral directions. Having specific reference to Figs. 6 to 0, let it beassumed that the conveyor belt delivers a container I to the gate withthe rotors 56 and 56 in the positions illustrated in Fig. 6. As saidcontainer strikes the deflecting surface of the left hand rotor 56, itturns said rotor in counterclockwise direction and, in consequencethereof, is pushed by said deflector surface into the nook 62' of theright hand rotor 56 which is caused to turn in clockwise direction dueto the fact that it is mechanically coupled to the rotor 56, aspreviously described. Fig. '7 illustrates the resultant position of therotors 56, 56 and the container I and indicates that when the deflectingsurface 60 of the left hand rotor 56 has reached its rightmost position,the container I has been shifted somewhat to theright of its originalposition and is fully nested within the.

nook 62 of the right hand rotor 56. As the conveyor belt 30 continues toadvance the container I, said container bears against the loading wallof the nook 62' and turns the right hand rotor 56 further in clockwisedirection, until it may move freely out of said nook 62' and continueits advance along a line parallel to and somewhat to the right of itsoriginal line of advance. This leaves the rotors 56, 56' in th positionillustrated in Fig. 8 which is the symmetrical image of their initialposition, as illustrated in Fig. 6. A succeeding container E (Fig. 8)will therefore strike the deflecting surface 60 of the right handrotor56' and impart clockwise movement to said rotor which causes thedeflector surface 60' to shift the container II to the left and into thenook 62 of the left hand rotor 56 that turns in counterclockwisedirection whenever the righthand rotor is turned in clockwise trated inFig. 10 which are operationally iden-- tical with the positionsillustrated in the initiallydiscussed Fig. 6. Now the rotor 56 presentsthe opposite one of its deflecting surfaces, namelysurface 6!, to thethird III of the approachingcontainers and as said third containerpasses: through th gate 56, 56, it is shifted to the right, in the samemanner as described in connection-.1 with container I. Home containerIII lines itself 5 up behind container I, whereas the next: one in thesuccession of approaching containers will: be shifted to the left andline itself up behind container II. Thus, the containers approaching theoscillating gate 56, 56 in a single-file line, emerge from said gate inan only partially separated double line I, II, as illustrated in Fig.11.

Reverting to Fig. 4, it should be noted that the rotors 56, 56' aremounted with their bottom edges spaced only very slightly above thesurface of the conveyor belt 30. As a result thereof, only the seams orbeads 15 of the approaching containers will come into contact with thedeflector surfaces and there is no danger that the less resistant bodywalls 16 of said containers are indented or otherwise damaged throughimpact against said deflector surfaces.

To prevent disorganization of the container shifting gate 55, due toimproper position of its rotors 56 and 56 at the time a containerarrives at the entrance thereof, the invention provides meansautomatically effective to lock the rotors in any one of the fourpositions, in which. they are capable of properly receiving a container(i. e., the positions illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 and theirdiametrically opposite counter-- parts), until a newly anrivingcontainer has moved sufliciently close to the gate to actuate the rotorsand thus initiate the above described shifting operations. For thispurpose, a collar (Fig. 4) is fixed to the center portion of thehorizontal shaft 12 which couples the rotors 56 and 56. Said collar isprovided with four angularly equi-spaced slots or notches 8|, as shownin Fig. 4, and each of said slots is adapted to be engaged by a key 82secured to the upper arm 83 of a bell crank lever 84, which turns on ahorizontal pivot 85 that is supported from the previously describedbridge structure 66 by means of suitable braces 86. A spring 81 istensioned between the arm 83 of the bell crank lever 84 and the bridge66 to urge the end of arm 83 against the collar 80 and cause the key 82to drop into whatever notch 8| will move into registry therewith. Thelower-arm 88 of the bell, crank 84 is arranged to extend centrally alongthe path of the approaching containers, directly before the entrance ofthe gate 55, and carries a spring finger 89 which has a transverselyenlarged contact end (Fig. 3) that extends downwardly into the path ofthe approaching containers (Fig. 4.)

Thus, whenever a container approaches the gate 55 sufficiently tocontact whatever deflecting surface of the rotors 56, 56' may be placedin its, way it strikesits upper end against the finger 89 and cams itupwardly out of its way.

are released tor operation. As long as the arin co aine -QllQ 93, 3 l' 1tinuous procession, the key {32 will be unable to re-engage any one ofthe notches 81 in the collar 8p, but whenever the continuity of theSupply ro e i n is e h ht -d he in 8 e h key t9 f l honth e er a d dropinto whatever notch 8! moves into registry therewith, after the last ofthe containers has ipassed the gate .5 5. the rotors 5.5, 55

are securely locked against overthrow which mi Pl c hem the ar p sitio hu p en n w y anti h c nta ners from entering the gate 5.

To complete h ihitiete i i hi h r h tainer procession, a vertical rodSI) (Figs. 3, 4 :and 11) is placed centrally into the path of thestaggered container line I, I I" emerging from the oscillating gate Saidrod is mounted for .free rotation within a pair of vertically superp dball b r n th t a e seated Wi h n a tubular boss 92 (Fig. 4) extendingdownwardly from a bridge member g3 which spans the conveyor belt 3!].Said hridge member rests upon a pair of pillars 94, only one oi which isshown in Fig. 2A, that rise irom the frame structure 35 at either sideof the conveyor belt 30, Suitable check nuts 95 engage the projectingupper en o th re 9!! and ma n ain h s od a altitude at which lower endis only slightly s a ed f m he enate of the c nveyor elt s the eeh aiheheme e from h tent-l ttin gate 55 ih a rocessi n w er n onse t e. the arealternate d splaced in ehhhs te i eh hh t rall h th eh line (Fi l h thee placed. to the i h hhh hse when the t e! .0. w th ft hrwa d s ments ad ar immedia y ef e ted. thtth t t9 the r h While thes di laced t theeft ihthihss hhhh s id t with their r ght i e... se mehts a d. h nce. arh e u her o the l t h a result. t e m divided dou le hh f. it eme item hc l t n ate .5. i hi red nto tw e a t 1 5 h m. WW9?! P QQ E Q a n a tQQl' lEiQIS 9 an 9 h (h lh and 3) e med by a i t ih was Mcth t isitherted f om th li h er 9 he thir tre s te 44c rearwardlyof the rod 9tAs shownin Fig. 41 h q il lQfi is l ft l b h iht fifi in a ov f r be 9 ht ewqis l hh e and thus cause in an def ec i n t tht eehta h r as theyencounter said rod.

In e p ular em d ment sf thfillfi l invention ihu ra ed i t a q th hhyhg, 111 es sh he wo ttht he les rm d b the en a whe of t e h ftin a e 5%an the divider rod 3.0 is again divided into a pair of separate files,so that the containers are actually delivered in four separate rows tothe caseeloading machine B. Having specific reference to Figs. lie and3, the corridors 96a and 961) are arrangedto diverge to some extent asindicated at am and-31b. and each corridorleads to, another shittinggate [00 41; or lflllb, respectively, which is followed by a dividingrod[0 1a or lqib. Each of said rods marks the beginning of twin channels[020, and M1211, and 19,311 and I631) formed'byfive. partitioning plates.or soreens lz a, b, c, dand e wh ch are suspended he a te r he e s ie-d44d, n the n th r e yi sly d rib d- Th wo shifting at Inna and 1 001)are preierably located at longitudinally d splaced {points of thecontainer supply line to gain the necessary space for their inner rotorsWithout need for spreading the container lanes -;further apart thanindicated by the diametrical width of the processed containers. Theoscillating gates 100a and mat may both be supported irom a commonbridge structure I04, with another bridge element H15 provided tosupport both the divider rods I011; and Hill).

in practical operation, all the conveyor belts move continuously inclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2A, with their upper surfacesadvancing at uniform speed toward the casing unit 13 or" the machine, asindicated by the arrows in Figs, 1A and 3, The containers are receivedat the feed end of the conveyor arrangement in a single file line andare delivered into the first gate formed by the rotors 55 and 56'. Aslong as there is no container directly in front of said gate, the key 82maintains the rotors 56 and 5t rigidly in their proper containerreceiving positions, such as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. soon as acontainer moves under the spring finger as, the lock key .82 iswithdrawn from whatever notch 81 of the collar 88 it engaged, andreleases the rotors so that they may turn under the force of theadvancing container. As a result thereof, the deflector surface firstcontasted by the container smoothly swings said container sideways intoa nook of the opposite rotor which guides it through the gateway to thedischarge end thereof, from where said container continues to advancealong a linear path somewhat to the right or. the left of its originalpath, as the case may be (Fig. 11). When the operative segments oftherotors 55, 56 have reached a position wherein they release saidcontainer for continued rectilinear movement with and upon the conveyorbelt 30, their diametrically opposite segments are in proper position toadrnit another container; and unless a new container has meanwhilearrived and has moved under the spring finger 83, the rotors 56 and 56are locked in this position by the return of the key 82 into one of thenotches 8| in the collar 80. However, if another container has meanwhilearrived, the rotors 5,6, 56' repeat the described container shiftingoperations in a symmetrically opposite manner, releasing said secondcontainer for advance along a rectilinear path that is lathm y o s romits original path in a direction'opposite to that of said firstcontainer. Hence, for proper operation, the described container shiftingmechanism does not require special apparatus to deliver successivecontainers in timed'relation into its range of operation, but acts asvits owntiming mechanism, and thus is capable or properly dividingcontainer supply lines, whether the consecutive containersarrive inabutting relation or are spaced varying distances. apart. The containersemerging from the described shifting gate 55. in the partially dividedouble-line formation, illustrated in Fig. ll, encounter the centrallypositioned divider rod 90 which completes the separation into twodistinctly separate files.

Due to. the fact that the described formation oi adoubleefile containerline from a singleefile supply line. occurs in two sequential steps, asabove described, the division of the original file involves no severeshocks but occurs smoothly and graduallyand may, therefore, be carriedout a far rea er speeds tha pr v us P s b 1 9 without danger of harmingthe containers or jamming the dividing mechanism. The arrangement of theinvention is. therefore of particular advantage in handling containersof a fragile nature, such as glass or paper containers. Furthermore,while in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated intheaccompanying drawings, the described high speed nonshock division of acontainer supply line is repeated but once for each of the newly formedfiles, it will be understood that the division process of the inventionmay be repeatedin a greater or lesser number, so that a. containersupply line may be divided, not only into 2 or but into 3, 5,6, 7 and 8and, in fact, "any'de'sired number of rows, by providing an appropriatenumber of the described line-dividing arrangements and by appropriatelyincreasing the number of conveyor belts with each additionallinedivision.

The case-loading unit B (Figs. 1B, 2B and 14) comprises a pair ofvertical side frames" I2I and I22 bolted in spaced parallel relation toa common pedestal I23 with their upper ends held rigidly in their properposition relative to one another by a horizontal spacer rod I24.Journalled in the center of said side frames at about the level of thecontainer supply lanes is a horizontally disposed shaft I25 and keyed tosaid shaft, interiorly of and adjacent to said side frames, are twospiders I3I and I32 (Figs. .12 and 13) each comprising three radiallyextending arms I3Ia, I3Ib, I3Ic and I32a, I32b, I32c,'(Figs. 20 to 23incl.) which are angularly disposed relative to each other and the endsof which are bored to freely receive three transverse rods I33a, I33band I33c, respectively. Pinned to each of said rods are four liftinglevers or transfer arms I34, one for each of the-four terminal lanes ofthe container supply line, and each of said lifting levers is composedof a lifting finger I35 and a retaining thumb I36. Firmly secured to theright hand ends of thetransverse rods I33 are bell crank levers'I40, theends of, which 'are provided with cam follower rollers MI and I42. Therollers I4I are arranged to engage the edge of a stationary cam I43which is fitted over the shaft I25 and bolted to the inner face of theright hand side frame I22. Supported from said cam I43 by a number ofmetal braces is'a retaining strip I44 (Fig. 24) which accompanies thetop sector of the cam I43 to maintain 'the rollers MI in contact withthe edge of said cam over part of the rotary travel of the rods I33about the center axis of the machine. The rollers I42 at the oppositeends of thebell cranks I45 are arranged to engage afcar'nway I45 (Figs.2B, 12, 13, 14 and 24) that islikewise bolted to the inner face of theside frame I22 and which extends along the forward edge and. part of thebottom edge of cam I43. As rotation of the machine shaft I25 swings thecarrier rods I33 ,in circular orbits about the center axis of the Ina--chine, the configuration of cam I43 and camway I45 controls the angularposition, of said rods and thus determines theangular position of thetransfer levers I34 pinned to said rods in a 'manner to be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

For the containers'to be properly delivered from the supply conveyoronto the lifting fingers I35, the four supply lanes formed. byithepartitioning plates 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 426 are extended beyond theforward ends of the conveyor belts 3|, 32 and 33 by five verticallypositioned partitioning plates I50 (Figs. 13 and 14) '10 which intervenebetween the circular paths of the transfer arms I34 (Fig. 12). Saidpartitioning plates are supported from, and maintained in properlyspaced position by, four base blocks I5I which are bolted to thepedestal I23 of the casing machine B. Angle bars I52 and I53 are securedto the confronting surfaces of each two of said partitioning plates I50(Fig. 13) at such a level that their horizontal flanges I52a and I53aform a continuation of the upper conveyor belt surfaces (Fig. 16). Saidhorizontal flanges I52a and I 53a are sufiiciently spaced apart topermit the transfer arms I34 to pass intermediately thereof; they formthe ramps upon which the arriving containers slide into position abovesaid lifting fingers I35.

To prevent entanglement of the container rims with the rearwardlydirected edges I52 and I53 of theramps I52a, I53a (Fig. 16) as thecontainers arrive at and are passed over onto said ramps, specialtransfer bridges I55a, I55b and I550 (Figs. 14 and 16) are interposedbetween the forward ends of each of the conveyor belts and therearwardly directed ends of the ramps. Said transfer bridges are formedby horizontal plates which are supported upon suitable lugs or ears I56projecting laterally from the partitioning plates I50, at about the samelevel as said belts and ramps, respectively. Said bridges are providedwith rearwardly directed tongues or tails I51, each extending laterallyof one of the conveyor belts at the level of its upper surface with itsfree end curved downwardly below said level, as shown at I58 in Fig. 16.Thus; containers carried along upon the upper surfaces of the beltsglide smoothly over and upon the downwardly curved ends of the tailswhich lift them to the level of the bridges I55, so that they may passsmoothly over the rear edges of said bridges, from where succeedingcontainers push them onto the container receiving ramps without anypossibility of obstruction or entanglement.

At a level somewhat above the culmination point of the transfer leversupporting rods I33 (Figs. 23, 13 and 15) the side frames I2I, I22 formforwardly projecting brackets or consoles I6I and I62, respectively,upon which is rigidly supported a board or shelf I63 which carries thecase-loading chute I65. The floor of said chute (Figs. 1B and 13) isformed by three longitudinally extending angle bars I66 supported uponthe shelf I63 in spaced parallel relation with their corners pointingupwardly, to form with the side walls of the chute, four parallelchannels corresponding to the four terminal lanes of the containersupply line. Said channels are effective to maintain containerssuccessively delivered onto the loading chute in proper longitudinalalignment.

The side walls of the chute I65 are formed by a pair of metal sheets I61and I68 which are hingedly supported from the side frames I2I and I22,respectively, with their discharge ends resiliently urged in inwarddirection to maintain transversely adjacent containers in lateralcontact with one another and thus insure smooth discharge of containertiers into whatever case or carton may be slid over the end of theloading chute I65. For this purpose, brackets I10 are bolted to theouter surfaces of each of the chute walls I61 and I68 near the containerreceiving ends thereof, and each of said brackets is provided with apair of vertically superposed bored bosses HI and I12, that turn invertical rods I13 which are rigidly supported from the side frames I2land I22, respectively, as best shown inFig. 13. A pair of set collarsI14 and H are. pinned tov said rods adjacent to, and inwardly of, saidbosses to retain the side walls of the chute in their proper verticalpositions. Interposed between the outer faces of the chute wallsv andthe inner faces of the side frames at points forwardly of the describedhinge connections are compression spring I16. which are coiled aroundstuds I'II that project outwardly from said chute walls or theirbrackets I and extend through suitable apertures in the side frames IZ'Ior I22, respectively. The outwardly protruding ends of said studs arethreaded to receive setting nuts I18 which provide means for adjustingthe extent to which the rear ends of the chute walls I61, [66 mayapproach one another under the urge of the springs I16.

The machine comprises means for pushing tiers of containers deposited inthe described loading chute by the lifting fingers I35 forwardlyOUISL'Of said chute. For this purpose, a pair of elongated actuatingarms I9I and I92 are pivoted to the outer faces of the side frames I2I.and I22, near the lower ends thereof and extend withtheir up.- per endsabove said side frames, as illustrated in. Figs. 2B, 12 and 13. Saidupper ends are slotted, as shown at I63,.to freely receive a transversehorizontal shaft I94 which supports. the upper ends of a pair of. rockerplates I95 and I96 (Figs. and 25)v thathave somewhat the shape ofanchors. The crowns of said anchors are firmly attached to another.horizontal; shaft IQ'I' that is journalled in a pair of arches I98 andI69 frames an appropriate distance above said ledges.

Firmly mounted upon the shaft I91 is-a pair ofparallel loading shoes 205and 206,,eachhaving; a fiat forwardly directed-pusher surface 201-, as

shown in Figs. 2B; 13-and Saidloadingshoes are preferably provided withsplit hubs 208 (Figs.-

1B and 12) which embrace the shaft I97 and'areclamped tightly upon saidshaft by setscrews 209., that may be loosened to permit adjustment ofthe angular position of" the shoes uponsaid shaft I91.

During operation of'themachine, the angular" position of the loadingshoes and hence the'location of their pusher surfaces'in or abovetheloadingchute is determined by the rotary position of the shaft I91 which, inturn, is controlled by the position of the anchor-shapedrockerplates I95and I96 since the endsof said shaft-l91 are-firmly mounted in the crownsof saidanchor-shaped plates as previously described; The bottomedges ofthe rearward and forward armsZI I and'2 I2 of" said anchors I95, I96(Fig. form angularly in clined surfaces ZISVa-nd 2M, respectively,whichmerge over a recessed rounded surface-2 I5at the crown of theanchor. Either of said surfaces 2 I3;-

2 I4 may be in contact with the upper surface-of the slide 260 dependingon whether the actuating arms I9 I, I92 move the rocker-plates in aforward or rearward direction; and depending on whether the rearwardsurfaces 2 I3 or the forward surfaces 2 I4 are in contact with saidslide 200, the pusher faces 20'! of'the loading shoes'will either'belifted out of and above'the-loading chute (Figs; 20 and and I22,respectively, and suitablev cover strips 204 and 264 supported from saidside'- described crank shaft" 2'2I;

12 23) or will be dipped down to the bottom of said chute (Figsl'2'1 and22').

The machine comprises means for alternately swinging the actuator armsI9I, I92 in forward and rearward direction to push the loading shoes inlowered condition forwardly through the lcading chute and thereafterreturn said shoes to their initial position rearwardly' of said chute,with their pusher surfaces lifted above said chute and any containersthat may have" been deposited thereinto during the forward movement ofsaid pusher surfaces. For this purpose, the actuator arms I9I and I92(Figsz'2B and 12) are each provided with rearwardl'y directed extensionsor tails 2I5 and 2|6, whichare pivotally connected to links 211 and'2I8, respectively, that in turn are pivoted to a pair of crank discs 2I9 and 220, respectively, and both said" crank discs are firmly mountedupon a common actuator shaft 22I that may be suitably journalled in thepreviously described: base blocks I'5'I. With every revolution of'said'shaft, the discsi2l 9-, 220 move theactuator arms IBI, I92 in' unisonfrom the rearward position, illustrated in Fig; 20; to theforward'position, illustrated in Fig. 223 andback to the initiallyoccupied rearmost' position in'a manner to be described. in greaterdetailihereinafter;

The container supply li'neA and the'case-loadingmechanism Bare-bothdriven from a common motor- 250 (Fig; 2B), but while a sprocket chain25'I applies thepowero'f' the motor directly to the conveyor belts ofthe container supply line and keeps said belts inicontinuousmotion aslongas the motor operates; the operation of the caseloadingmechanism is.controlled by a program clutch 252" (Fig; 15); the drive or" input endof which. i's' operatively." connected with the power shaft ofthem0tor2'55 'through a suitable belt 253 (Figs; 2B,and"15')f'. Asprocket chain 254 operatively; connects" a' sprocket 255mounted' uponthe driven end of? the program clutch 252 with a sprocket 256 keyediupon the main shaft I25 of the case loading machine and also with asprocket 251 which i's'firmly mounte'd upon'the previously Thus, theprogram clutch= 252" is' arranged td'control" operation of both thecontainer transfer levers or arms I34 andtheloadingshoesZ053 206.

The program clutch 252 is a' single revolution clutch of "suitabledesignandis normally held out of' engagement by'a clutch dog260' (Figs. 23 and15') sothatthemacliineis ordinarily'at a standstill, eventhough-the'container supply mechanism may bein'continuousmotion, but asolenoid 261 is arrangeditotemporarily'witlidrawsaid dog from; theclutch, and thuspjermit its" driven end to. perform a single revolution;whenever the power circuit ofsaid solenoidisiclosed. For" this purpose;the" plunger262of' the solenoid 261 is pivotedito one: end of. a"bellcran'k'263, the opposite. end of "which is connected with the clutchdog260. that is normally urged into clutch-disabling position by arestore spring- 264'(Fig. 15).

Thepower circuit. of the solenoid 26I is illustrated' in Fig. 18; itincludes three types of switches which. are normally open; the twoswitches identified by'the reference numerals 275 and'2'll are contactswitches'which are arranged to close only. if and when the containerreceiving table ofqthercasinggmachine.as formed by the horizontalflanges of tlie angle irons I52 and I53 is loaded-with containers tocapacity. To this end, th'e'switches 210"and'21'I' (Fig: 14) aresupported from the-forward; ends-of-"thesecond and fourth partitioningplates I 50; and each of said switches-

